Doll head with movable eyes



March 27, 1951 J. H. WILHELM DOLL HEAD WITH MOVABLE EYES Filed Aug. 13, 1946 INVENTOR JOHN H. WlLHELM Patented Mar. 27, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DOLL HEAD WITH IVIOVABLE EYES John H. Wilhelm, Hamilton Beach, N. Y., as-

signor to lViargon Corporation, Newark, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application August 13, 1946, Serial No. 690,099

15 Claims. 1

This invention relates to dolls, and more particularly to doll heads with movable eyes.

The primary object of the present invention is to generally improve doll heads with movable eyes. -A more particular object is to facilitate the insertion and mounting of a, movable eye set in a doll In accordance with features and objects of the present invention, the doll head is molded with bearings for receiving mating trunnions on the eye set, and the eye set is provided with spaced. weight arms operatively connecting the weight and the trunnions, the said weight arms being resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount sufiicient to insert the trunnions in the bearings.

A further object of the invention, in one of its specific aspects, is to provide the eye set with lock means to lock the weight arms against relative movement in that direction which would permit escape of the trunnions from the bearings.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an eye set having a weight, 01' a portion of the weight. molded integrally with the weight arms and, if desired, integrally with the eye shells and. trunnicns, thus simplifying and cheapening the manufacture of the eye set.

To accomplish the foregoing general objects, and other more specific objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention resides in the doll head and eye set elements and their relation one to the other, as are hereinafter more particularly described in the following specification. The specification is accompanied by a drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical section through a doll head embodying features of my invention, taken approximately in the plane of the line ll of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken behind the eye set;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a modified form of the invention, taken approximately in the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 5 is a transverse section, taken behind the eye set except at the trunnions;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section taken approximately in the plane of the line 6-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through another form of the invention;

Fig. 8 is a transverse section taken approximately in the plane of the line 3-8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is explanatory of a detail;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary view similar to a part 2 of lg. 1, but showing a modification in which the entire weight is molded integrally with the arm; and

Fig. ll is a fragmentary view similar to a part of Fig. 8, but showing a modification in which the eyes are molded integrally with the arms and weight.

Referring to the drawing, the invention in all of its forms comprises generically a doll head 1-1 and an eye set E movably mounted therein. The eye set comprises a weight portion W, a pair of spaced weight arms A connected to the weight portion W, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of the weight arms. The head H has bearings for receiving the trunnions, and the weight arms A are resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount sufficient to insert the tr'unnions in the bearings. The weight portion W, and the weight arms A, are preferably integrally molded out of a single body of molding material.

Considering the first form of the invention in greater detail, and referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, the head His preferably molded out of a thermoplastic material, or other molding material which may be dimensioned accurately enough to properly locate the trunnion bearings relative to the eye openings. The head is preferably molded out of front and back halves which are cemented together. In the present case, the bearing holes are located in suitably thickened portions [2 at the sides of the head. The holes may be formed by retractable cores, or by a drilling operation after the molding operation.

The eye set comprises a pair of eye shells J 3 and i5 molded integrally with Weight arms l8 and 2G, and with a connecting ledge or weight portion 22. The trunnions 24 and 2% are also molded integrally with the eye set. A weight 28 is clamped around the weight portion 22, the complete weight being made up of the parts 22 and 28. For convenience, I may refer to the eyes I l and it as being molded integrally with the eye set, but it will be understood that this applies primarily to the flesh colored portion of the eye shell, it being convenient to make the colored iris portion and the white eyeball portion separately for insertion in the eye shell. 7 v

The eye set here illustrated is molded out of a suitable thermoplastic, and the finished product has sufficient resilience to permit the arms 18 and 2G to be sprung together enough for insertion of the trunnions into the bearings. This is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 by the change between the broken line position [8, 2t, and the solid line position I 8 and 28. In Fig. 3, it will be noted EYES.

3 that the weight arms twist slightly, as well as bend toward one another, so that the eyes may be slid into position in the mating seats or eye openings in the doll head as the trunnions are slid into the bearings.

The weight portion 28 may be made separately from the weight portion 22, and this is particularly desirable if the eye set is molded out of a plastic. One advantage is that the plastic is relativeiy light, whereas the weight portion 28 may be made or" lead, iron, or other heavy metal. Another advantage is that the plastic is usually more expensive than the metal. However, a onepiece plastic weight may be used as illustrated in Fig. 10, in which the entire weight W is molded integrally with the arm A.

A modified form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6. In this case, weight arms 32 and 3 3 are formed integrally with a weight 355, and with sidewardly projecting arms 38 and 3%, as well as inwardly projecting trunnions Q2 and G4. The eyes 46 and as are made separately, and are secured to the arms 38 and it by appropriate connecting pins 58 and 52. The use of connecting pins 55 and 52 has the advantage of afiording some adjustment of the eyes relative to the eye set.

. The head is molded integrally with a bearing lock 54, and bearing holes are formed in the sides of the bearing block. It will be understood that in this form of the invention, arms 32 and 3d are preliminarily sprung apart when adding the eye set to the doll head.

The arms and weight may be molded out of a suitable plastic, in which case the eyes may be secured in position by cementing, or by the use of a suitable solvent. The weight is shown made wholly of plastic, but a composite weight, that is, one having a plastic ledge or weight portion, such as is shown in Fig. l, with additional metallic weighty material secured to the molded portion, may be used.

Still another form of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawing. This resembles the first form of the invention in hav ing bearings 88 and 52, and trunnions 64 and 66, outside the eyes and it, so that the weight arms 32 and M are sprung together when inserting the trunnions into the bearings. The main feature in this form of the invention is the provision of additional lock means "it to lock the weight arms against relative movement toward one another, and to thereby prevent escape of the trunnions from thebearings. Specifically, the lock means comprises a screw threadedly received in the weightv '58, the upper end of said screw being conically shaped, as shown at El). This bears against inward projections 82 and 345 on the weight arms l2 and M.

It will be understood that the scerw 16 is preliminarily in downward or out of the way position when inserting the eye set in the doll head, this being done by springing the arms 12 and 14 together, just as was described in connection with Figs. 1, 2 and 3. After the eye set has been put into position, the screw '15 is tightened to secure the arms in spread relation. These operations may be performed through the neck opening of the doll head.

In the illustrated eye set, the eyes 68 and iii are formed separately from the weight arms. The trunnions may be molded integrally with the The latter are also provided with inwardly projectin studs 86 and 88 which are secured iii) 4 in mating holes in the Weight arms, for example by cementing.

Referring to Fig. 7, the weight arms may, if desired, be molded with a motion limiting stop 9i which bears against the front wall of the head when the doll is changed from standing to lying position, thus limiting the closing movement or" the eyes.

Fig. 9 is a section through a typical eye, and is included merely to illustrate the fact that the complete eye includes not only an eye shell 92, which is preferably flesh colored, but also an eyeball portion 85, which is preferably white, and an iris or lens portion 95, which may be transparent and colored in back to simulate the iris and also the pupil of an eye. For convenience, the term eye is used in the present specification even when only the eye shell portion 92 is meant, as for example when referring to the eyes as being molded integrally with the weight arms.

The head and the eye set may be made of any suitable molding material. I recommend thermoplastics which are rigid at room temperature, for example, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, acrylic resins such as methyl methacrylate, and styrene resins such as polystyrene. For the head the material should provide accurate location of the bearing holes relative to the eye openings. For the eye set the material should be elastic enough to operate as described. 7

it is believed that the construction and method of use of my invention, as well as the advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. 7

It will also be understood that the two-part weight of Fig. 1 may be used with the eye set of Fig. 4, and conversely that the one piece weight of Fig. 4 may be used with the eye set of Fig. 1, as illustrated in Fig. 19. It will'alsc be recognized that the wedge lock or screw arrangement of Fig. 8 may be used with the eye set of Fig. l. A look or screw arrangement may also be applied to the eye set of Fig. 4, but in such case two screws are required, one on the outside of each of the weight arms. The motion limiting stop i -El in Fig. '7 may be provided with the eye sets of Figs. 1 and 4. Separately molded eyes, as in Fig. ,8, may be used in the eye set of Fig. 1, and integrally molded eyes, as in Fig. 1, may be used in the eye set of Fig. 8. This is illustrated in Fig. 11 .inwhich the eyes E are molded integrally with the arms A and the weight.

it will therefore be understood that while I have shown and described my invention in several forms, changes, may be made in the'structures disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention, as sought to be defined in the following claims. In the claims, the term weight portion is intended to apply to either a solid or a composite weight. The term eye not intended to be limited to a complete eye, as when reference is made to molding of the eye integrally with the weight arms, for the iris and other parts of the eye may in many cases be made separately. In such case theterm eye is intended to apply to the eye shell or flesh colored. portion of the eye.

I claim:

1. In combination, a doll head, and an eye set movably mounted therein, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weight arms connected to the weight portion, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of the weight arms, said head having bearmit escape of the trunnions from the bearings,

said lock means including a conically pointed screw passing through the weight portion.

2. in combination, a doll head, and an eye set movabiy mounted therein, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair oi spaced weight arms connected to the weight portion, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of the weight arms, said head having bearings for receiving said trunnions, said weight arms being resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount sufficient to insert the trunnions into the bearings, said weight portion and weight arms being integrally molded out of a single body of molding material, and lock means to lock the weight arms against relative movement in that direction which would permit escape of the trunnions from the bearings, said lock means including a conically pointed screw passing through the weight portion.

3. In combination, a doll head, and an eye set movably mounted therein, said eye set com-- prising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weight arms connecting the weight portion with each of said eyes, and trunnions outside each of the eyes, said head having bearings at thesides for receiving said trunnions, said weight arms being resiliently yieldable. toward one another an amount sufficient to insert the trunnions into the bearings, and additional lock means to lock the weight arms against relative movement toward one another, said loci; means including a conically pointed screw passing through the weight portion, the conical portion of said screw bearing against the inside surfaces of the weight arms in order to hold the same in spread apart position.

' 4. In combinationga; doli head, an eye set movably mounted therein, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weightarms connecting the weight portion with each of said eyes, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly secured outside one of the eyes, said head having bearings at the sides for receiving said trunnions, said weight arms being resiliently yieldable toward one another an amount sufiicient to insert the trunnions into the bearings, said weight portion and weight arms all being integrally molded out of a single body of molding material, and additional lock means to lock the weight arms against relative movement toward one another in order to prevent escape of the trunnions from the bearings, said lock means including a conically pointed screw passing through the weight portion, the conical portion of said screw bearing against the inside surfaces of the weight arms in order to hold the same in snreadanart position.

5. An eye set adapted to be movably mounted in a doll head provided with spaced mounting bearings, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weight arms operatively connecting the weight portion with said eyes, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of the weight arms, said eyes, weight portion and weight arms being integrally molded out of a single body of a moldable plastic, said weight arms being relatively rigid. but resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount suiiicient to permit said trunnions "to he sprung into said mounting bearings, j

6. An eye set adapted to be movably mounted in a doll head provided with spaced mounting bearings, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes,

.a weight portion, a pair of spaced Weight arms operatively connecting the weight portion with said eyes, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of the weight arms, said eyes,

weight portion, weight arms, and trunnions being integrally molded out of a single body of a moldable plastic, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount sufficient to permit said trunnions to be sprung into said mounting bearings.

'1. An eye set adapted to be movably mounted in a doll head provided with spaced mounting bearings at the sides of the head, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weight armsoperatively connecting the Weight portion with said eyes, and ,a;pair of trunnions projecting outwardly from the eyes and fixedly related to one of the weight arms, said eyes, weight portion, weight arms, and trunnions being integrally molded out of a single body of a moldable plastic, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount suificient-to;-permi t said trunnions to be sprung into said mounting bearings. r A

8.'In combination, a dollhead molded out of a moldable plastic compound, and an eye set movably mounted therein, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of,

spaced weight arms operatively connecting the weight portion with each of said eyes, said weight 'arms being substantial in cross-section, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of into the bearings, and said Weight portion and eyes, and trunnions and weight arms all being iii) integrally molded out of a single body of a moldable plastic. p

9. In combination, a doll head, and an eye set movably mounted therein, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced Weight arms connecting the weight portion with each of said eyes, said weight arms being substantial in cross-section, and trunnions outside each of the eyes, said head having bearings at the sides for receiving said trunnions, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable toward one another an amount sufficient to insert the trunnions into the bearings, and said weight portion and eyes and trunnions and weight arms all being integrally molded out of a single body of a moldable plastic.

10. An eye set adapted to be movably mounted in a doll head provided with spaced mounting bearings, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion and a pair of spaced weight arms molded integrally with the weight portion out of a single body of a moldable plastic, said Weight arms being short and substantial in cross-section, and a pair of cylindrical trunnions each fixedly related to one of the weight arms, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount sufiicient to permit said trunnions to be sprung into the bearings, and lock means carried by and localized at the weight portion to lock the weight arms against relative movement in that direction which would permit escape of the trunnions from the bearings.

11. An eye set adapted to be movably mounted in a doll head provided with spaced mounting bearings, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weight arms connected to the weight portion, said weight arms being short and substantial in cross-section, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of the weight arms, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount sufficient to permit said trunnions to be sprung into the bearings, said weight portion and eyes and trunnions and weight arms being integrally molded out of a single body of a moldable plastic, and lock means to lock the weight arms against relative movement in that direction which would permit escape of the trunnions from the bearings.

12. An eye set adapted to be movably mounted in a doll head provided with spaced mounting bearings at the sides of the head, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a

pair of spaced weight arms connectingthe weight portion with each of saideyes, said weight: arms being short and substantial in crossejsectionand being molded integrally with the weight por' tion outof a single body of a moldable plastic, and cylindrical trunnions outside each of the eyes, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable toward one another an amount sufii'cient to permitsaid cylindrical trunnions to be sprung into the bearings, and lock means carried by and localized at the weight portion to lock the weight arms against relative movement toward one another.

13. An eye set adapted to be movably mounted in a doll head provided with spaced mounting bearings at the sides of the head, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weight arms connecting the weight portion with each of said eyes, said weight arms being short and substantial in cross-section, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly secured outside one of the eyes, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable toward one another an amount sufiicient to permit said trunnions to be sprung into the bearings, said weight portion and eyes and trunnions and weight arms all being integrally molded out o fa single body of a moldable plastic, and additional lock means localized at the' weight portion to lock the weight arms against relative movement toward one another. 7

14. An eye set adapted to be movably mounted in a doll head provided with spaced mounting bearings centrally of the head, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weight arms operatively connecting the weight portion with said eyes, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of the weight arms and projecting inwardly thereof, said eyes, weight portion, weight arms, and trunnions being integrally molded out of a single body of a moldable plastic, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount sufficient to permit said trunnions to be sprung into said mounting bearings.

15. In combination, a doll head molded out of a moldable plastic compound, and an eye set movably mounted therein, said eye set comprising a pair of eyes, a weight portion, a pair of spaced weight arms operatively connecting the weight portion with each of said eyes, said weight arms; being substantial in cross-section, and a pair of trunnions each fixedly related to one of the arms and projecting inwardly thereof, said head having bearings centrally thereof for receiving said trunnions, said weight arms being relatively rigid but resiliently yieldable relative to one another an amount sufiicient to insert the trunnions into the bearings, and said weight portion and eyes and trunnions and weight arms all being integrally molded out of a single body of a moldable plastic.

JOHN H. WILHELM.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 834,981 Horne Nov. 6, 1906 1,112,032 Reinhardt Sept. 29, 1914 1,540,522 Grubman June 2, 1925 1,797,338 Grubman Mar. 24, 1931 1,820,037 Nemcovsky Aug. 25, 1931 1,958,861 Popovich May 15, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country 7 Date 542,294 Great Britain Jan. 2, 1942 

